Work

Navigating the AI frontier: Insights from the Ukraine conflict for NATO’s governance role in military AI

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated in the military domain, calls for its regulation are growing. In this paper, I argue that although civil society, academics and citizens support the strong regulation of military AI, such regulation is unlikely to materialise, even less so via formal organisations such as NATO. The current war, in which Ukraine is defending itself against a Russian invasion, underscores three key reasons for this: blurred borders with the civilian sector; the weaponisation of civilian life; and meaningful steps towards autonomy. Given these factors, the paper argues that behavioural steps are most likely to be feasible in the short term.

Source: Journal of Strategic Studies

DOI: 10.1080/01402390.2025.2463451

Author: Michal Onderco

Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam

Language: English

Topic: Military Strategy and Technology

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Arthur Foundation, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, Harvard Kennedy School